Dispenser-applicator for liquid containers



A. NADA! Sept. 30, 1958 DISPENSER-APPLICATOR FOR LIQUID CONTAINERS Filed April 17, 1957 FIG. I.

INVENTOR.

' ALEXA/V0512 NADA/ manufacture.

DISPENSER-APPLICATOR FOR LIQUID CONTAINERS Alexander Nadai, New York, N. Y. ApplicationApril 17, 1957, Serial No. 653,498

8 Claims. (Cl. 15-134 This invention relates to liquid dispensers and has particular relation to a dispenser cap for liquid containers adapted to apply a controlled amount of the liquid to a selected area of the body upon direct rubbing application of the dispenser to said skin surface. This application contains subject matter partially disclosed in my copending U. S. patent application, Serial No. 528,969, filed August 17, 1955, and constitutes a continuation-inpart of said application.

In the application of cosmetic products and the like to the skin, an essential consideration in many instances is the dispensing of the product to very small skin areas in controlled quantities. This is particularly important in the use of such cosmetics as colognes and perfumes, deodorants, shaving lotions, and the like. In this connection, control in the application of such products has been attempted by making the product in solid stick, paste or cream form. This has the disadvantage of providing a product the major volumeof which constitutes filler material or inert hardening material, which is wasteful in In addition, the product cannotbe properly controlled in its application and is invariably applied in too thick layers. In the case of deodorants, this is particularly disadvantageous, since too thick an application induces a physiological problem, tending to clog the sweat glands.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a liquid applicator in the nature of an insert for insertion into the mouth of a bottle containing the liquid to be dispensed, the applicator being constructed to serve as a closure for the bottle and to dispense a small, regulated amount of liquid in the desired quantity.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a liquid applicator of the character describedwhich can be easily modified to dispense liquid of various viscosities or having different absorption properties.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a liquid applicator of the character described which contains a porous flexible inlay member and a porous flexible applicator membrane normally separated by an air space, the applicator membrane being adapted to operate as a pump to draw liquid into the inlay member.

Additional objects and advantages will become apparent during the course of the following specification when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is an exploded elevation of the applicator insert made in accordance with the present invention, the'insert body being shown in its original form before the porous disc and membrane are inserted;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through a portion of a bottle containing the assembled applicator of the invention, the bottle being shown in inverted position; I

Fig. 3 is a vertical section similar to Fig. 2, but showing the applicator pressed against the skin surfaceand the bottle in an upright but tilted position; and i Fig. 4 is an elevational view of the upper portion of a bottle containing the applicator and having a closure cap attached thereto, the closure cap being shown in section.

United Sttes Patent Referring in detail to the drawings, and in particular to Figs. 1 and 2, the applicator insert comprises a body portion 10 preferably made of a thermo-plastic material. The body portion 10 is initially molded integrally in the form shown in Fig. 1 and constitutes a lower tubular portion 12 closed off at its top by a transverse wall 14. The Wall 14 has an upstanding integral annular rib 16 which is of reduced thickness at its upper end. Extending outwardly from the rib 16 is an integral extension 14a of Wall 14 which terminates in an upstanding outer flange 18. The wall extension 14a projects outwardly of the central depending tubular portion 12 and defines a transverse shoulder 20. The transverse wall 14 has a central through aperture or opening 22 which is also centered within the depending tube 12.

In assembling the applicator insert, a circular disc 24 of porous material is inserted within the chamber formed between the wall of the upstanding annular rib 16. The disc 24 is sized to fit snugly within the rib 16, and is made of a flexible material, preferably a plastic foam. It has been found that best results are obtained from the use of during use of the applicator, as will be presently described in greater detail.

After the inlay or disc 24 has been inserted in position, the thin upper portion of the upstanding rib 16 is heated and bent or peened over to provide a peripheral top bight 26, as shown in Fig. 2. This top bight 26 overlies the marginal edge of the disc 24 and retains said disc securely in its seated position in the central chamber formed by the annular rib 26, the disc 24 lying flush against the transverse wall 14.

In the further assembling of the applicator, a larger circular disc 28 is placed across the top of the insert body portion 10 and its outer circumferential portion is bent downwardly and inserted into the channel 30 formed between the inner annular rib 16 and outer flange 18, and closed at its bottom by the wall extension 14a. The upper portion of the flange 18 is then heated and peened over to form a top bight 32 which grasps the marginal portion of the disc 28 and securely holds the latter in its mounted position.

The disc 28 is preferably made of the same material as the disc or inlay 24, that is, of neoprene foam, so that it is flexible, resilient, absorbent and capable of being saturated. In this connection, the disc 28 acts as an applicator membrane through which the dispensed liquid may pass for distribution to the skin surface by direct application of the outer surface of the disc or membrane 28 to said skin surface.

It will be observed that the bight 26 formed in the rib 16 provides an air-tight and liquid-tight seal around th circumference of the disc or inlay 24, while similarly, the bight 32 in flange 18 forms a seal around the circumference of disc or membrane 28. The insert body 10 is thus sealed against leakage of the liquid therethrough, with the exception of the controlled liquid which will penetrate the porous bodies of discs 24 and 28 for selective application to the skin.

In addition, it will be noted in Fig. 2 that the top bight 26 of the inner annular rib 16 projects above the top surface of the disc or inlay 24. The bight 26 thus also acts as a spacer element, causing the outer disc or membrane 28 to assume a convex shape and providing an air space 34 between the lower surface of disc 28 and the upper surface of disc 24. The discs 24 and 28'are thus normally spaced from each other by the air space 34.

Patented Sept. 30, I958 Theassembled insert is intended to be used in connection with a liquid container; for' example thebottle 40. The bottle 40 has a threaded neck 42 and is intended to hold a quantity of liquid 44 to be dispensed, for example a liquid deodorant, cologne, shaving lotion; or the like. The depending tubular portion12'of theinsert' body issized to be press-fit withinthe neck of the bottle 40 with the projecting shoulder 20overlying the mouth of said bottle, as shown in Fig. 2. The lower end portion 36 of the depending tubular insert portion 12 is molded with a downwardly-decreasing diameter and is made of lesser thickness than the remainder of the insert body'so as to have an increased flexibility. This shaping and dimensioning of the lower portion 36'facilitates'the ready'insertion ofthe' tubular insert portion'12 within the'bottle neck. The remainderof the tubular insert portion 12 has a suficient diameter to fit tightly within the bottle neck, once inserted so that it maybe only forcibly removed.

In the use of the applicator, the bottle 40" is initially tilted and the outer porous disc or membrane28pressed against'the skin surface toiwhich'the liquid is to .be applied; As shown in Fig. 3, such'pressure of the membrane 28 against the skin surface S, causes the flexible membrane 28 to bend inwardly until it is pressed against the inner disc'or inlay 2'4. Pressureoflthe outer disc28 against the inner disc 24, squeezes liquid" from the latter, which liquid is absorbedin, and passes through the disc 28 to the outer surface thereof; from whence it'is applied to the skin surface S. As the outer disc'or membrane 28is pressed against the skin surface S, it is also drawn along the skin surface in a rubbing or wiping stroke, so'that the liquid transferred to the membrane 28'is distributed to the skin in a fine film or layer.

in application of the liquid, the bottle 40 is normally held in an inclined or inverted position so that the liquid 44-therein is in contact with the transverse wall 14 and its opening 22. In applying the wiping applicationstrokes to the skin surface, the outer disc or membrane 28 al ternately compresses the inner disc or membrane 24v and re turns to its position spaced fromthe inlay 24,.performing a pumping action, which will presently be explained, and drawing liquid through the opening 22 to maintain the inner disc or inlay 24 in a saturated or partially saturated condition. The liquid is thus distributed to the skin in an extremely controlled manner, since no more liquid canpass through the outer disc or membrane 28than can be absorbed and held by the saturated inner disc or inlay 24.

The normal manner of manipulating the bottle during application is to wipe the outer disc or membrane 28 against the skin surface in a succession of strokesin the same direction. That is to say, the membrane 28 is wiped in one direction along the skin surface, is then lifted, and brought back to approximately its original position, and is then wiped in a succeeding stroke in the same direction. When the applicatoris lifted from the skin surface between strokes, the outer membrane or disc 28, because of its resilience, assumes its original convex shape in which it is spaced from the inner disc or inlay 24, again forming the air space 34. A vacuum or low pressure area is thus created in the space 34 because of the previous compression of the disc 24," and liquid is thus drawn through the aperture 22 into the porous disc 24, causing the latter to again become saturated for the next application stroke. The discs 24 and 28, in operation of the applicator, thus operate as a membrane pump for drawing small amounts of the liquid through the single aperture 22 to replenish the porous disc or inlay 24. This pump operation is made possible when. the bottle 40 is held in a horizontal or downwardly-inclined position during application, with the liquid 44 in contact with the aperture 22.

A particular advantage of the applicator'is its ability to be used with the bottle in an upright position, as shown in Fig. 3," as, for example, in the application of a'liquid deodorant beneath the arms. In this connection, the porous inner disc or inlay 24-is capable of absorbing suflicient liquid to provide an effective application of the liquid to the skin when the bottle is in upright position. On the other hand, the inlay 24 is made small and of relatively small width so as to avoid too great a supply of liquid from being transferred to the outer membrane 28, and consequently avoiding dripping or uncontrolled application of the liquid;

For use in dispensing liquids of various physical properties, the applicator may be modified by simply varying the relative thicknesses of the porous discs 24 and 28. Some liquids to be dispensed, for example, may be of relatively greater viscosity or maybe less capable of absorption in the porous discs than others. In such an event, the outer disc or membrane 28 may be made of relatively lesserthickness so as to be more readily permeable by the: liquid. It may, also be desirable to make the outer disc or membrane 28. of appreciably greater thickness than the :inner disc or membrane 24. In such an event, greater pressure is required to press the outer disc 28 inwardly. from its normal convex shape into engagement with the inner disc ortinlay 24, and this added pressure has-the effect ofdistributing a greater amount of liquid to the skin surface with each application stroke.

If desired, a thin sheet of knitted or woven fabric 38 maybe usedto cover over the outer surface of the disc or membrane.28. This'fabric sheet 38 is originally inserted over the disc-28 and is held at its outer edges by the peened over bight32 of the flange 18. The fabric sheet 38 providesa smooth applicator surface which may be desirable insome instances for rubbing application against the skinusurface, and may be made of a tough synthetic'fabric which'has-abrasion resistance to prevent wear on theapplicator membrane.

The bottle 40 is provided with a closure cap 46, shown in Fig. 4, having-internal threading 48 for attachment to the externally threaded bottle neck 42. The inner surface of the cap top wall is provided with a central concavity 50 bordered by a shoulder 52. When the cap 46 is screwed to its mounted position, the outer disc or membrane 28 and its fabric covering38 are containedwithin the c0ncavity50, while the shoulder 52 makes firm contact with the top surface of the insert bight 32 and thereby provides an air-tight seal around the membrane 28. After use, the applicator may thus be tightly sealed by insertion of the cap 46, and the membrane 28 and inlay 24 will remain moistand ready for the next application.

When the applicator is not in use, the air space 34 prevents the liquid from contacting the outer membrane 28. The applicator andbottle may be'laid on its side and even inverted, butthe inlay 24, oncehaving become saturated, will not absorb any further liquid, and the liquid will not drip out of'the inlay 24 and cross the air space 3 4 to the outer membrane 28. Thus, even after storage in an inclined or inverted position, the membrane 28 will not contain an over-supply of liquid and will always be ready for efiicient use in applying a controlled layer of liquid.

The provision of 'the single small opening 22in the transverse wall 14- prevents liquid from flowing through the wall 14 into contact with the inner disc or inlay 24 when the applicator is stored or shipped "ina horizontal position. This is ofimportancc in' those instances in which, in manufacture, the porous inlay 24 is cut thin and may have a through hole therein. In such instances where the inlay has a through hole therein, the use of a single opening '22 prevents the liquid, in shipment or storage, from flowing into-the inlay 24 and through its hole'(not shown) into the air space 34. In use, the inlay is compressed, closing up its through hole and preventing direct flow of the liquid therethrough.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described herein, it is obvious that numerous additions,-- changes and omissions may be made in this embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, while the specification and claims refer to application upon a skin surface, 'the use of such term is intended to include any surface upon which the applicator is suitable for use to apply a controlled quantity of liquid, and may include leather, metal, or the like.

I claim:

1. An applicator insert for liquid containers having a neck, said insert comprising a body including a depending tubular portion sized to fit snugly within the container neck, a transverse wall extending across the top of said tubular portion and having a single opening therein, a flat relatively thin inlay member of porous, flexible, liquid permeable material mounted in said insert above said transverse wall opening and communicating therewith, whereby the inlay member is adapted to absorb liquid from the, container, and a flat relatively thin applicator membrane of resilient, flexible, and porous, material mounted above said inlay member in normally spaced relationship thereto, said applicator membrane being depressible into abutment with the porous inlay member upon pressing application of the membrane to a skin surface, whereby liquid absorbed by the inlay member is squeezed through said membrane to the skin surface.

2. An applicator insert according to claim 1 in which the insert body also includes means for mounting the applicator membrane and inlay member thereon, the mounting means providing an air-tight seal around the marginal edges of the applicator membrane and inlay member, the applicator membrane in pressing against the inlay member compressing the latter and acting as a membrane pump to form a vacuum within the inlay member and in the space between the inlay member and applicator membrane, whereby liquid is drawn into the inlay member through said transverse wall opening when the container is disposed in a position in which the contained liquid is in contact with the transverse wall.

3. An applicator insert for liquid containers having a neck, said insert comprising a body including a depending tubular portion sized to fit snugly within the container neck, a transverse wall extending across the top of said tubular portion and having a single opening therein, an inner wall upstanding from the transverse wall and defining a central chamber in communication with said transverse wall opening, a flat inlay member contained within said central chamber, the top end of said inner wall having a bight engaging the marginal edge of said inlay member and forming an air-tight seal therearound, an outer wall upstanding from said transverse wall and spaced outwardly from said inner wall, and a porous, flexible applicator membrane mounted above and extending over said inlay member in normally spaced relationship thereto, the top end of said outer wall having a bight engaging the marginal edge of said inlay member and forming an air-tight seal therearound, the bight of said inner wall extending above the top surface of said inlay member and maintaining the applicator membrane normally spaced above said inlay member, said flat inlay member being positioned and adapted to absorb and retain liquid from the container, the applicator membrane being depressible into abutment with the inlay member upon pressing application of the membrane to a skin surface, whereby liquid absorbed by the inlay member is squeezed therefrom and transferred to the applicator membrane and through said membrane to the skin surface.

4. An applicator insert according to claim 3, in which the transverse wall projects outwardly of the depending tubular portion forming a shoulder on said insert body, the shoulder being positioned to engage the top surface of the container neck when the insert body is inserted therein.

5. A liquid applicator assembly comprising, in combination, a container capable of holding a supply of liquid and having an externally threaded neck, an applicator closing off the neck of said container, and a closure cap for said container, said applicator comprising a body member including-a transverse wall extending across said container neck and having a single opening therein, a flat, relatively thin porous, flexible inlay member mounted on said body member above said transverse wall and communicating with said wall opening, and a flat, relatively thin, porous, flexible applicator membrane mounted on said body member above said inlay member and normally spaced therefrom, said inlay member being positioned and adapted to absorb liquid from the container, said applicator membrane being depressible into abutment with the porous inlay member upon pressing application of the membrane to a skin surface, whereby liquid absorbed by the inlay member is squeezed therefrom and transferred tothe applicator membrane and through said membrane to the skin surface, said closure cap being internally threaded for removable mounting on said container neck and being sized to cover said applicator in its mounted position.

6. A liquid applicator according to claim 5 in which a portion of the applicator body member projects laterally outward from the edge of said applicator membrane, the closure cap having an inner concavity sized to receive the applicator membrane therein and an inner shoulder bordering said concavity, said shoulder being positioned to abut said laterally-projecting portion of the applicator body member for providing a seal around said applicator membrane in the mounted position of said closure cap.

7. An applicator insert for liquid containers having a neck, said insert comprising a body including a depending tubular portion sized to fit snugly within the container neck, a transverse wall extending across the top of said tubular portion and having a single opening therein, a porous, flexible inlay member resting on the outer surface of said transverse wall and covering said opening, said inlay member being positioned and adapted to absorb liquid from the container, and a porous, flexible applicator membrane mounted above said inlay member in normally spaced relationship thereto, said applicator membrane being depressible into abutment with the porous inlay member upon pressing application of the membrane to a skin surface, whereby liquid absorbed by the inlay member is squeezed therefrom and transferred to the applicator membrane and through said membrane to the skin surface.

8. Dispensing means for use with a container capable of holding a supply of liquid and having an outlet, comprising an inlay member, an applicatormembrane, both the inlay member and applicator membrane being flat, relatively thin, and of a porous, flexible, liquid permeable material, means for mounting the inlay member on the container, said mounting means including a transverse wall extending across the container outlet and having a single opening therein, the mounting means retaining the inlay member in seated position on'the transverse wall in communication with said single opening whereby the inlay member is adapted to be saturated with liquid from the container, and means for mounting the applicator membrane above said inlay member and normally spaced therefrom, said applicator membrane being flexible, resilient, and liquid permeable, and being depressible into abutment with said inlay member upon pressing application of said dispensing means to a skin surface, whereby liquid is squeezed from said inlay member and transferred to the applicator membrane and through said membrane to the skin surface.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,594,729 Carvalho Apr. 29, 1952 

